IDS proposes 'two-year ban' on migrant benefits

The Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has proposed that EU migrants should be banned from claiming welfare payments for up to two years after arriving in Britain to stop them exploiting the benefits system, according to the Sunday Times.

The shadow work and pensions secretary Rachel Reeves has said the Government is playing "catch up" after Labour proposed measures to "ensure people are coming to UK to contribute, not just to claim benefits".

"We've said that the EU framework needs reform, including to look again at social security and Labour market rules, but that means serious proposals and effective influence in Europe, not empty bluster", she added.

Nick Clegg suggested migrants should not be free to claim benefits 'on day one' Credit: BBC

The Deputy Prime Minster told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: "I'm up for establishing a clear principle that says the freedom to move around the European Union to look for work is one thing, but it's not the same as the freedom to claim benefits on day one - no questions asked, no strings attached."

There is a growing concern about 'benefit tourism', Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has said, after suggesting that EU migrants should be banned from receiving benefits for up to two years.

There is no question of the European parliament agreeing to reopen the rule-book on free movement, the president Martin Schulz has said, as the UK attempts to curb EU immigration.

President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz Credit: Wiktor Dabkowski/DPA/Press Association Images

According to the Observer, the German Social Democrat said he would like to see David Cameron's plans for EU reform, and wanted the UK to remain inside the EU to shape policy on everything from climate change to the single market and development policy.

But he added: "Where we differ is that I would rather see the UK making its case for reform from within the EU rather than with one hand on the escape hatch.

"The principle of free movement of people has been one of the greatest successes the EU has, it is a fundamental principle and it's not up for negotiation any more than renegotiating the principle of the free movement of goods, services or capital."

The Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has proposed that EU migrants should be banned from claiming welfare payments for up to two years after arriving in Britain to stop them exploiting the benefits system, according to the Sunday Times (£).

Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith. Credit: PA

Duncan Smith’s plan goes far beyond Britain’s recently announced three-month ban on benefits to new EU migrants, prompted by Bulgarians and Romanians gaining free access to the British jobs market from January 1.

IDS told the newspaper that he had begun building an alliance of countries including Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Finland to attack “benefits tourism”.